Welcome to Bimmerfest -- The #1 Online Community for BMW related information! Please enjoy the discussion forums below and share your experiences with the 200,000 current, new and past BMW owners. The forums are broken out by car model and into other special interest sections such as BMW European Delivery and a special forum to voice your questions to the many BMW dealers on the site to assist our members!

E46 (1999 - 2006) The fourth generation 3 Series (E46 chassis) was introduced in 1999 and set the standard for engineering and performance during it's years of production including being named to Car & Driver's 10 best list every one of those years! ! -- View the E46 Wiki

I took my car on 1,800 mile journey from NY State (Utica-area) up to VT, NH and Maine. I had no problems with the car except the driver's side window switch in the console broke. The motor for the window works as you can have the window go up/down through the door lock by holding to the right or holding down the unlock button on the key.

My biggest challenge is how do you unloosen the central console and/or remove the stickshift boot/top. I can't imagine putting a new switch in it's place is that hard. On my Dad's old 1989 535i, the center console had clips which held it in place, you had to use a screwdrive to pop it out.

Many a fester have given themselves a bloody lip or a black eye when pulling up on their shift nobs for the first time and having it suddenly release. Keep your face out of the way! You can't really hurt anything except your face/ego by pulling to hard if it's a manual.

I got the part from BMW Arlington, VA today for $61. The "cost" price for the dealer was like $30.00. Crazy mark-ups.

I followed the instructions given and I had a new window switch in within two minutes and it works. Thanks everyone. I guess I probably just saved myself $50-100 plus I felt good about fixing it myself.

In a few thousand miles I will try doing my spark plug replacement, maybe!!

OK, my additional question to this is... My drivers window is the only one that does not do the one touch open. I have to hold the switch. Plus the switch feels "loose" in it's slot. Will changing the switch give back my one touch operation?

Also, when the window is going up there is a click or clunk every now and again. I am guessing window regulator?

I need t he same help. My windows will barely go down when the temp get below 30. If I do not help the drivers side window going down it stops before it gets all the way down, then the one touch will not work for a while. I told my parts man and he gave me some white plastic things he said will fix the slow window problem. I can't try them now becasue my drivers side switch is jacked up. going to keep an eye on this post.
zpable

I need t he same help. My windows will barely go down when the temp get below 30. If I do not help the drivers side window going down it stops before it gets all the way down, then the one touch will not work for a while. I told my parts man and he gave me some white plastic things he said will fix the slow window problem. I can't try them now becasue my drivers side switch is jacked up. going to keep an eye on this post.
zpable

I have a feeling you`re posting to the wrong forum....is your car even an E46 ? If not, go to the Main Forums page to determine exactly where you belong (by year & model). You`ll get better answers if you ask in the right place.

__________________

The road goes ever onward....
(R.I.P. Jever)

*Please support the Disabled American Veterans*

When faced with choosing between two evils, always go with the one you`ve never tried before....